Author Topic: The removal of 'prejudiced language'  (Read 1862 times)

jeremyp

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Re: The removal of 'prejudiced language'
« Reply #25 on: September 03, 2020, 01:42:32 PM »

What got me thinking was "commit suicide" a definition (from another dictionary) of which follows:

As a society do you think we perhaps should move away from a phrase that is so weighted with judgement?

It never occurred to me that the phrase "commit suicide" had anything to do with illegality. And "commit suicide" and "kill yourself" do not mean the same thing. The latter does not necessarily imply a deliberate act. 
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jeremyp

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Re: The removal of 'prejudiced language'
« Reply #26 on: September 03, 2020, 01:46:54 PM »
The 'N' word should be BANNED from all dictionaries, as it is more offensive than even the worst of swear words, which aren't included, are they?

Dictionaries include words because people use them. When you read or hear the word "nigger" for the first time, you want to know what it means and why it is offensive. If you didn't allow it in dictionaries, how would you find out?

It's as absurd as demanding that medical textbooks omit pictures of human genitalia because they are naughty.
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jeremyp

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Re: The removal of 'prejudiced language'
« Reply #27 on: September 03, 2020, 01:55:12 PM »
A thesaurus isn't a dictionary.
Collins dictionary does contain those words, as it should.

I think Collins thesaurus should contain them too (although I have verified that the online version doesn't). I'm a sensitive soul who would prefer to write bitch, pussy, beaver, box, cherry, clit, muff, puss, snatch, twat, gash, merkin, pudenda, slit, slut, or vagina. How can I find an acceptable synonym without a thesaurus?

« Last Edit: September 03, 2020, 01:57:53 PM by jeremyp »
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